Sherlock Holmes Fall Production, October 13-15

The Sidney High School Drama Club fall production of Sherlock Holmes will begin on Friday, October 13th at 7PM.

The family-friendly adaptation of Sir Arthur Canan Doyle's classic novel follows famed detective Sherlock Holmes in the quest to get his hands on letters that may cause grave international problems. The show combines mystery, action, romance and laughter, as a young Holmes puts his life on the line to stop the sinister Professor from causing international mischief.

The script is less like the movie, and more like "pure Sherlock silliness", said Drama Club director Christy Pierce.

Pierce chose this adaptation by Tim Kelly specifically to fit the four talented senior actors-Ben Brodhead, Kyle Topp, Luke Turek and Atlas Hill. "I looked for strong lead parts for the seniors. When I read the play I saw Luke as Sherlock," Pierce explained. This will be Turek's fifth high school production, and 10th lifetime show, having been acting since the third grade. "Having done theatre for so long, it's become part of who I am. I love the creation of an alternate story in an alternate world", Turek explained of his passion.

Senior Ben Brodhead takes on the role of Watson in the fall production. This will be Brodhead's sixth production, and he enjoys having "the ability to act like someone I'm not", he said.

Atlas Hill, who plays Moriarity, shares the same passion for theatre as her co-stars. "I enjoy being on stage the way an adrenaline junkie likes hanging off a roof. Acting is invigorating. I don't know what I'd do without it", she said. Hill plans to pursue acting after high school.

Kyle Topp chose her own part in the play. She will portray Mrs. Bassick, leader of the Suffragettes, or as Pierce explains, "leader of a gang of girls". This will be Topp's seventh production and she is also active in speech and drama. Her interest in acting is for practical reasons. "I really just think that it's good to do and it gets you used to talking in front of people. That's something everyone should be able to do," Topp said. She adds, "It's also a lot of fun. It's one of those things where I can get out and get goofy."

This year's production is unique because it includes middle school students as well as students from the high school. "I didn't have enough high schoolers so I cast middle schoolers. I asked the office to make an announcement and I got a lot of kids. It's kind of cool. They are loving it! I'm hoping it will get them to do Drama in high school," Pierce explained.

The curtain opens for this year's Sidney Drama Club Production of Sherlock Holmes at 7PM MST on Friday and Saturday, and 2PM on Sunday. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. The show will be at the Sidney Middle School Auditorium. Proceeds from the production help to fund props and costumes for the spring play.